ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces different classes of materials used in the fabrication of optical devices and instruments. It discusses dopants that can be added to glass to change its optical, mechanical and thermal properties. Optical materials are used in the construction of devices that guide light in some way. Optical materials can be used to attenuate, or decrease the intensity of light. Optical materials are used to transmit light, not only visible, but also light in the infrared and ultraviolet ranges. Historically, glass was the first optical material used in the fabrication of imaging systems, such as telescopes and microscopes. Most glass used in optical applications is based on silica with other materials mixed in to control various optical properties. Co-dopants can be added to glass to change its optical, mechanical and thermal properties. Optical polymers are transparent plastics, which can be used for lenses, optical storage media, such as compact discs, and for lightguides, metallized reflectors, optical fibres, and couplers.
